DSCC reserves at least $2 million in fall air time in Ohio

6/25/12 4:40 PM EDT

The DSCC has started reserving fall air time in Ohio for the matchup between Sen. Sherrod Brown and Josh Mandel, who despite a barrage of negative headlines has been running a tight race against the incumbent, a GOP media-buying source says.

The reservation is from Oct. 2 through election day, the final five weeks of the race, for $2.28 million in three markets - Cleveland, Dayton and Youngstown.

That leaves time left to purchase in the Columbus market, meaning the price tag is likely to grow.

A GOP strategist involved in Senate campaigns crowed about the cash plunk-down by Democrats: “For all the spin and bravado we’ve heard from national Democrats about holding this Senate seat, their actions tell a far different story. It’s clear Democrats are actually quite worried about this race and they have good reason to be because Sherrod Brown’s very liberal record is out of step with Ohio.”

Mandel has also been aided by infusions of outside spending into the state, which Democrats have fingered as the main cause of the Republican's surge (Republicans argue it's Brown's own weaknesses that are the issue).

A source familiar with the DSCC's plans says that the buy is not finished, and more is expected.